Whether you’re feeding a hungry group of campers after a long day of hiking or just enjoying a weekend outdoors, these Dutch oven sloppy joes are a must-try.

A pot of Dutch oven sloppy joes with ground beef in tomato sauce is being stirred with a black spoon, resting on a wooden table beside hamburger buns and newspaper.

There’s something about a hearty, messy, flavor-packed sloppy joe that just screams camping food!

This easy recipe is packed with sweet and tangy flavors, and the best part? You can prep most of it at home, making campsite cooking a breeze.

Whether you’re cooking over a campfire or a portable stove, this recipe is a simple and delicious way to enjoy a warm, hearty meal in the wilderness.

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A black pot filled with sloppy joe mixture, featuring ground meat in a rich red sauce. A black serving spoon rests inside the pot. Baguettes and a sandwich bun are nearby on a wooden surface. Text reads: Dutch Oven Sloppy Joes and campfirefoodie.com.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Dutch oven sloppy joe recipe is the ultimate camping comfort food! Not only is it easy to make with minimal ingredients, but it also brings big flavor with very little effort.

The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors is a hit with both kids and adults.

A Dutch oven sloppy joe sandwich with a bite taken out sits on a white plate, accompanied by wavy potato chips and pickle slices.

Camping Dutch Oven Sloppy Joes

Plus, since you can prep the beef at home, this becomes a quick, fuss-free meal that lets you spend more time enjoying the great outdoors.

Pro tip: Cook the beef at home and add it and the remaining sauce ingredients to a large freezer bag for easy storing. Then when ready to prepare, just dump everything into the Dutch oven.

This helps to eliminate packing different ingredients and measuring them when all you want to do is quickly feed the hungry crew of kids!

Ingredients

Lean ground beef – Hearty and filling, this protein-packed base makes a true stick-to-your-ribs camping meal. We like to cook this at home and pack for camping to make meal prep easier.
Ketchup – Brings the perfect balance of sweetness and tang to the sloppy joes.
Brown sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness to complement the savory flavors.
Worcestershire sauce – Brings deep, savory umami flavor that takes these sloppy joes from basic to next-level delicious.
Mustard – Adds just the right amount of zing to wake up all the flavors.
Onion powder, garlic powder, and salt – A simple seasoning trio that adds big flavor.
Hamburger buns – Soft, fluffy buns are essential for soaking up all that saucy goodness.

Instructions

1. Cook beef (if needed) in the Dutch oven until no longer pink. Drain grease if needed.

A dutch oven filled with cooked ground beef for sloppy joes, topped with brown sugar, mustard, and seasonings, sits on a wood surface alongside a wooden spoon and pieces of paper.

2. Add remaining sauce ingredients to the pot and stir.

3. Bring to a boil over a grate on the fire or a camping stovetop.

A close-up of seasoned ground beef in tomato sauce cooking in a black dutch oven, with a black spoon scooping some up for homemade sloppy joes. Hamburger buns are partially visible on the side, sitting on newspaper.

4. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Serve on buns and enjoy!

A plate with a Dutch oven sloppy joes sandwich on a bun, ridged potato chips, and a pickle slice, set on a newspaper with a rustic wood background.

Tips and Tricks

Prep ahead for easy campsite cooking. Cooking and freezing the ground beef at home means all you have to do is heat it up at camp, saving time and effort.
Use a cast iron Dutch oven. It holds heat well and gives the sloppy joes an even, slow simmer, making the flavors meld together beautifully.
Add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes if you like your sloppy joes with a kick.
Lightly toasting the hamburger buns over the fire adds an extra layer of flavor and prevents them from getting too soggy.
This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a larger group or to have leftovers for another meal.

A close-up of cooked ground beef mixed in a rich, red sauce inside a black pot, perfect for Dutch oven sloppy joes. A black spoon rests in the mixture as the pot sits atop newspapers on a wooden surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives work well in this recipe.

How do I store leftovers?
If you have a cooler or fridge, store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat them in the Dutch oven the next day.

Can I cook this over an open fire?
Yes! Just place the Dutch oven over a grate and adjust the fire to keep a steady simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

A plate with a sloppy joe sandwich on a bun, wavy potato chips, and two pickle slices rests on a newspaper-themed table. Nearby, logs and a pot of dutch oven sloppy joes add rustic charm to the scene.

These Dutch oven sloppy joes are a camping favorite for good reason — simple ingredients, easy cooking, and delicious results every time.

Whether you’re gathered around the fire or cooking on a camp stove, this meal will bring smiles all around. Enjoy your next outdoor adventure with this classic comfort food!

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